EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF MATERNAL DEATHS IN THE NORTHEAST HEALTH MACROREGION OF ALAGOINHAS FROM 2012 TO 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Maternal Mortality is classified into direct and indirect causes. Direct causes are associated with interventions, omissions, or inadequate treatments, whereas indirect causes result from pre-existing diseases acquired before pregnancy or from conditions that developed during pregnancy and worsened over time. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of maternal deaths in the Northeast Health Macroregion of Alagoinhas, State of Bahia, Brazil, between 2012 and 2022. Methodology: This is a quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study, supported by a literature review of 30 articles retrieved from the PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO, and BVS Brasil databases. Data were collected from the Mortality Information System (SIM) database, available through the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), covering the period from 2012 to 2022. The variables analyzed included race, age group, year of death, and ICD-10 group. Results and Discussion: Maternal mortality remains a major public health issue, with most cases being preventable. Between 2012 and 2022, the Northeast Health Macroregion of Alagoinhas, State of Bahia, recorded 14 maternal deaths, most of which resulted from direct obstetric causes. Hypertension was the leading cause, followed by infection and hemorrhage. Deaths from indirect causes were associated with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The most affected women were between 30 and 39 years of age. Women identified as mixed-race (Brown/Pardo) accounted for the highest percentage of maternal mortality. Proper completion of the Death Certificate is essential to ensure data reliability. Conclusion: Therefore, the proper completion of Death Certificates may contribute to the development of public policies aimed at reducing maternal mortality and strengthening the Stork Network (Rede Cegonha), promoting access to high-quality, safe, and humanized healthcare services for all women.